Making Button Loops

Button loops are a good alternative for fabrics that don't make good buttonholes such as velvets, lace and loosely woven fabrics. They're also used as a design feature, where a loop gives a cleaner finish and looks better than a buttonhole, or the garment needs to finish edge-to edge instead of with an overlap. Any sized button can fastened with a loop. Sewing Expert, Liz Haywood shows how: 

Button loops can also rescue a slightly too tight garment!  The cuff above was too tight if lapped over for buttonholes, but loops made it slightly bigger.

The loops are inserted into a seam on the edge of the garment, sandwiched between the outer and a facing.  

You may need to change your pattern to suit loops rather than buttonholes. If you're likely to wear the garment open like a jacket, it looks best to have the fronts meeting edge-to-edge. Remove the buttonhole extension – to leave just the centre front line with a seam allowance.  

For garments that you'll wear closed, it's best to have an underlap so no-one sees your flesh. This vintage nightie is an example - the side with the loops sits on the centre front, and the button side has an extension that sits underneath.

HOW TO MAKE FABRIC BUTON LOOPS

The strongest loops are made from fabric, cut on the bias to make them flexible. You could also use cord or tubular braid. If the garment's fabric is unsuitable to make loops, choose a different fabric that's smooth and thin enough. Satin loops are often paired with velvet.

1. To make fabric loops, cut some bias strips, about 2.5cm/1in wide. Sew the strips into a narrow tube, and turn the tubes through. Experiment with the width of the tube - you want a firm, skinny tube.

Need more help:
Want to know how to create your own bias binding - click here or how to use a loop turner - click here

2. On the right side of the garment, mark the position of the loops, using the buttons as a guide.  The loops needs to be as long as the button, and just wide enough for the button to slip through.

It helps to mark where the seam allowances are - use chalk or an erasable pen.

3. Position the fabric loops, keeping the seam of the fabric tube facing up.  Note the loops are on the garment side of the seam - they'll be flipped over when the seam is sewn. Stitch the loops on, exactly on the seam line.

For lots of little buttons next to each other, the loops can sewn on in one continuous row: sew a line of stitching on the seam line, and at the same time position and sew each loop as you come to it.

4. Check that the buttons fit through the loops.

5. Sew the facing on, with the garment uppermost and the facing underneath.  Stitch exactly on the previous stitching line.  The loops will now be sandwiched between the two layers.

Turn through, and mark the button positions to match the loops.

Button loops are relatively easy to master with a little know-how and there are many reasons to make your own button loops, including: 

• Button loops are ideal for working with delicate fabrics and a great alternative to buttonholes. 
  
• They can add a pretty, feminine touch to a garment. 
• Button loops can be used on cuffs, collars, at the top of a zip, or down the back of a dress or blouse. 
  
• They can be made from scraps of fabric, braid, ribbon, or cord.

Happy sewing!
Liz